What Ontario is doing

To prevent this unwanted invader from coming into the province, Ontario has regulated red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) as a prohibited invasive species under the Invasive Species Act.

Learn about the Invasive Species Act and regulations.

Background

The red shiner is a small freshwater minnow species native to the to the central United States and Northern Mexico. It is a highly adaptable fish which can thrive in harsh environments such as waters with low flow, high murkiness and poor water quality.

The red shiner can reproduce rapidly and aggressively take over habitat from native species when first introduced to a new area.

Red shiner has often been introduced to new areas intentionally as forage fish or by bait bucket releases. It is also in the aquarium trade under the name “rainbow dace” which may lead to introductions intentionally or through improper aquarium disposal.

The wide distribution of red shiner\ across the United States demonstrates its adaptation, which helps it establish in newly invaded habitats.

Range

The red shiner is native to the central United States and Northern Mexico. It is widely distributed throughout the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico drainages westward to the Rio Grande.

The red shiner has been introduced to tributaries in many states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Red shiner is not currently known to occur in Ontario or Canada.

View an up-to-date distribution map of red shiner.

Impacts

Once established, the red shiner can:

  • reduce native fish populations through predation on eggs and larvae
  • reduce biodiversity through competition
  • impact genetic integrity of native fish species through hybridization
  • introduce or spread parasites and pathogens

How to identify

Red shiners are a deep-bodied minnow which can grow to length of 8 centimetres. When the Red shiner is not in breeding season, males and females have silver sides and whitish abdomens. During breeding season (late spring to early summer) males develop iridescent pink, purple or blue sides and some of the fins turn reddish.

The red shiner is similar in appearance to the native golden shiner, and the introduced rudd.

What you need to know

  • Learn how to identify red shiner and how to prevent the introduction or spread of these fish to local waterways.
  • It is illegal to import, deposit, release, possess, transport, propagate, buy, sell or trade red shiner in Ontario.
  • Never buy or use red shiner for an aquarium, for use as bait, or any other purpose.
  • If you possessed red shiner on January 1, 2024, the date the regulation came into force, you may continue to possess and transport them until January 1, 2026. This transition period provides time to become aware of the rules and dispose of the fish. You must kill the fish and dispose of it in a way that ensures it does not spread (such as frozen and in the garbage) before January 1, 2026.
  • If you are in possession of red shiner and would like to learn more about what you need to do, please contact us at invasive.species@ontario.ca.
  • Never release any live organisms into Ontario waterbodies. 

Reporting illegal activity

If you have any information about the illegal importation, distribution, or sale of red shiner, report it immediately to either:

If you’ve seen Red Shiner or another invasive species in the wild, please: